A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 5:33 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. As the rocket's exhaust plume expanded, sunlight from the horizon illuminated the vapor, creating a swirling orange-and-blue nebula that resembled a jellyfish. The display was visible across Brevard County before sunrise. The first-stage booster, which made its 37th flight, landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the 54th launch on the Space Coast in 2026, with SpaceX responsible for all of them. The phenomenon, known as noctilucent clouds, occurs when rocket exhaust particles reflect sunlight at high altitudes. Local residents described the effect as otherworldly, with some comparing it to a 'glow in the sky.' SpaceX has conducted 10 launches from the Space Coast this year, all aimed at expanding its Starlink broadband network. The company's reuse of boosters has become a routine part of its operations, with this particular booster having previously supported missions in 2024 and 2025. Scientists say such atmospheric effects are rare but not uncommon after rocket launches, especially during dawn or dusk when sunlight angles create vivid reflections. The event drew attention from amateur astronomers and photographers, who captured the display using long-exposure cameras. Noctilucent clouds, though not new, are increasingly observed in the wake of frequent spaceflight activity. The SpaceX mission marked the third Starlink launch of the month from the Space Coast, continuing the company's push to deploy thousands of satellites for global internet coverage.